William “Bill” Cook, 76, of Milford, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, at his home in Milford, surrounded by his family.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Military Funeral Honors will be held in the Calvary Cemetery conducted by the Milford American Legion Post #384. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
Bill was born on May 26, 1948, in Spencer, IA, to LuVern and Laura (Thelen) Cook. He graduated from Milford High School and attended Iowa Lakes Community College. Bill enlisted in the US Army and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War where he was awarded 2 purple Hearts as a combat wounded veteran. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and was later united in marriage to Lynnette Anderson on August 21, 1971, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Bill worked for many years as a lead foreman for DeMuth Landscape and Design. He most recently worked for and retired from St. Joseph Catholic Church working as a general maintenance custodian.
Bill was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the DAV and American Legion Milford Post #384. He was a member of the Wounded Warrior’s Organization and a member of the Iowa Taxidermy Association, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.
In his free time, he loved being outdoors where he enjoyed all aspects of wildlife. He enjoyed working his land, planting trees and food plots for animals. You would often see Bill playing with his dogs and hunting. Bill loved giving his grandchildren rides on the lawn mower, teaching them about nature and generally creating games with them that invoked as much laughter as possible. He was a self-taught master taxidermist. He competed in the Iowa Taxidermy and World Taxidermy Competitions. He loved to identify songbirds and watch the squirrels and deer with his wife, Lynnette.
Those who knew Bill best knew he was a jack of all trades, and he could fix anything that was placed in front of him. He was a pure example of patience, kindness and positivity and joy. He loved and provided for his family above all. He found joy and peace in hard work and his efforts molded the character of his children. He liked to keep things simple, and he knew what was important in a good life.
Left to treasure his memory is his wife, Lynnette Cook of Milford; daughters, Jackie (Jeff) Stellish of Sioux City, Dallas Dotson and her husband Jonny Fiddelke of Spencer; son, Cody (Alison) Cook of Spirit Lake; grandchildren, Jackson, Kenny, Oz, Indie, Winter Sky and Sawyer William; great-granddaughter, Scarlett Anne Stellish; sister, Connie (Jerry) Braunschweig of Alta, IA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Charlene Unrau and a brother Richard “Waldo” Cook; brothers-in-law, Murray Wyman, John Unrau; nephew, Chad Michael Wyman.
